System for service usage reporting

ABSTRACT

A method for reporting information related to the consumption of the audio-visual content is provided. The method comprises: reporting the information including component; wherein the component is comprised of a component type, a component role, a component name, a component ID and time interval information, wherein the component type includes audio, video, closed caption, and application, the component role presents a role or kind of the component, the component name indicates a string representing a human name of the component, the component ID indicates a string representing a component identifier, and the time interval information which includes a start time and an end time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a system for service usage reporting.

BACKGROUND ART

A video service is capable of sending audio, visual, closed caption, application, and other data content to a receiving device. The receiving device typically presents one or more of the audio, visual, closed caption, application, and other data content to the viewer, such as on a television device. In some cases, the viewer would like to use their mobile device, such as a mobile phone, to interact with the video content. However, how to most effectively interact with the audiovisual content on the receiving device using the mobile phone tends to be problematic due to synchronization issues. In one case the viewer may want to receive audiovisual content on a receiver such as a television device. At the same time the user may want to receive adjunct associated content on a second screen, e.g. a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet. The content received on the second screen device may be same as alternate content associated with the audiovisual content being received on the television. The user may typically like these two contents be presented on the primary and second screen device in a synchronized manner. In other case the content received on the second screen device may be alternative components (e.g. alternative camera angle) not currently presented on the primary device. The user may typically like these two contents be presented on the primary and second screen device in a synchronized manner. In some cases the term companion device may be used for the second screen device.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for reporting information, the method comprising: reporting the information including component; wherein the component is comprised of a component type, a component role, a component name, a component ID and time interval information, wherein the component type with a value of 0 indicates an audio component, the component type with a value of 1 indicates a video component, the component type with a value of 2 indicates a closed caption component, the component type with a value of 3 indicates an application component, and the component type with a value of 5 to 255 are reserved, the component role presents a role or kind of the component, the component name indicates a string representing a human name of the component, the component ID indicates a string representing a component identifier, and the time interval information includes a start time and an end time, wherein the start time is a date time at the beginning of the event and an interval of the start time begins when display of this content component begins and the value of the interval of the start time is not less than the value of the start time of this interval instance, and the end time is a date time at the end of the event and an interval of the end time ends when display of the content component ends and the value of the interval of the end time is not greater than the value of the end time of this interval instance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a video system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a data server and a receiver.

FIG. 3 illustrates a consumption data unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a consumption data message.

FIG. 5 illustrates a logical structure of a consumption data message.

FIG. 6 illustrates a logical structure of a component element of a consumption data message.

FIG. 7 illustrates a component and viewing types.

FIG. 7A illustrates view intervals and components.

FIG. 7B illustrates view intervals, components, and delivery paths.

FIG. 8 illustrates a deviceType attribute.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative deviceType attribute.

FIG. 10 illustrates another alternative deviceType element.

FIG. 11 illustrates a deliveryPath attribute.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative deliveryPath attribute.

FIG. 13 illustrates another alternative deliveryPath element.

FIG. 14 illustrates a component element.

FIG. 15 illustrates a consumption data message logical structure

FIG. 16(1) illustrates a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) schema

FIG. 16(2) illustrates a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) schema

FIG. 16(3) illustrates a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) schema

FIG. 16(4) illustrates a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) schema

FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of XML schema

FIG. 18(1) illustrated a XML schema

FIG. 18(2) illustrated a XML schema

FIG. 18(3) illustrated a XML schema

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a logical architecture of an audiovisual system is illustrated. The system includes a broadcasting system 100 that provides a source of audiovisual (video and/or audio and/or closed caption and/or other data and/or applications) content. The audiovisual content may be provided in any suitable manner and using suitable standards, such as for example, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or ATSC. By way of example, the broadcasting system may be provided from a broadcasting antenna, a cable, a network based audiovisual source, a compact disk, a hard drive, a digital video disc, and/or an Internet based audiovisual source. The broadcasting system 100 may provide the content through any suitable broadcast network 110. Additionally or alternatively the system includes a broadband server system 105 that provides a source of audiovisual (video and/or audio and/or closed caption and/or other data and/or applications) content. This audiovisual content may be also be provided in any suitable manner and using suitable standards, such as for example, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or ATSC. By way of example, the broadband server system may be provided from an Internet or over the top or network based audiovisual source audiovisual source. The broadband server system 105 may provide the content through any suitable broadband network 115. A receiver 120 receives the audiovisual content together with any other data provided with the audiovisual content, such as digital data, data services, or otherwise. The receiver may receive some of the content components from broadcasting system via broadcast network. For example video component may be received in this manner from broadcasting system via broadcast network. The receiver may receive some of the content components from broadband server system via broadband network. For example audio component may be received in this manner from broadband server system via broadband network. The receiver 120, generally referred to as a primary device, is preferably configured to receive the type of content being provided there to. The receiver may be, for example, a television, a laptop, a tablet, a phone, or any other device suitable to present the audiovisual content to a viewer. The receiver may be typically in a user's home. The receiver 120 may be a Usage Reporting-Capable Receiver. The receiver may likewise communicate with another display device 130, generally referred to as a companion device, through a home network 140. In another embodiment the companion device may communicate directly with an outside server (e.g., broadcasting system 100 or broadband server system 105) to receive audiovisual and/or adjunct content. The home network is preferably a wireless or wired type network, such as for example, WiFi, Ethernet, 3GPP, Bluetooth, infra-red, HTTP. In some cases the home network may be a local area network. In some cases the primary and companion devices may be inside a user's home. In other cases, the home network may be an office environment. The companion device may include, for example, a mobile phone, a mobile tablet, a laptop, a computer, or other display device. In addition, the receiver may simultaneously communicate with a plurality of companion devices 130. Additionally one companion device may communicate simultaneously with multiple primary devices 120. In some embodiments the primary device may be called a first screen device. In some embodiments the companion device may be called a second screen device. The terms primary device and first screen device and receiver may be used interchangeably. The terms second companion device and second screen device may be used interchangeably.

The primary device 120 may be capable of providing information to the companion device 130. In addition, the companion device 130 may provide information to the primary device 120. The broadcasting system 100 may be capable of providing information to the receiver 120. In addition, the receiver 120 may provide information to the broadcasting system 100. The broadcasting system 100 may be capable of providing information to the companion device 130. In addition, the companion device 130 may provide information to the broadcasting system 100. The broadband server system 105 may be capable of providing information to the receiver 120. In addition, the receiver 120 may provide information to the broadband server system 105. The broadband server system 105 may be capable of providing information to the companion device 130. In addition, the companion device 130 may provide information to the broadband server system 105. The information may include, for example, audio and/or visual and/or data content and/or closed caption and/or applications.

In many environments it is desirable for the receiver 120 and/or companion device 130 to monitor the usage of audio-visual content consumed by the user and provide information related to the consumption of the audio-visual content to the broadcasting system 100 and/or the broadband server system 105. In many environments it is desirable for the receiver 120 and/or companion device 130 to monitor the usage of data content by the user and provide information related to the consumption of the data content to the broadcasting system 100 and/or the broadband server system 105. By way of example, the broadcasting system 100 may include a broadcasting server and/or a data server. By way of example, the receiver 120 and/or companion device 130 may be a usage reporting capable receiver. In another example the broadband server system 105 may include a broadband server and/or a data server.

Referring to FIG. 2, the system may be generalized as a service usage data server 200 that provides audio-visual content together with auxiliary data, if desired, and a usage reporting capable receiver 210 that provides data to the data server 200. In general, the receiver 210 manages functions related to service consumption data collection, storage, and/or transmission to the data server 200. In general, the data server 200 in addition to the capability of providing audio-visual-data services, include data gathering agents and usage report generation. The data server 200 may include one or more individual servers, as desired.

Referring to FIG. 3, the fundamental record that captures consumption information by the receiver 210 may be referred to as a consumption data unit 300, referred to herein as “CDU”. For a streaming audiovisual channel, each CDU 300 identifies an interval during which the channel was viewed 310. Such a CDU may include, for example, a channel identifier 320, a time the viewing started 330, and a time the viewing ended 340. If any triggered declarative objects 350, referred to herein as “TDO”, are active during the viewing interval, it may also record the intervals during which the TDOs are active (whether on a primary device or a “second screen” device) 360, including a TDO identifier 370, a time the TDO started being active 380, and a time it stopped being active 390. In some cases a triggered declarative object may be an application. In another case a triggered declarative object may be a webpage or a resource accessed via a uniform resource locator (URL).

For a stand-alone non-real time service, referred to herein as “NRT”, each CDU may capture an interval during which the service was selected. Such a CDU may include a service identifier, a time the interval started, a time the interval ended, and identifiers of the NRT content items presented during the interval.

For streaming services and stand-alone NRT services, events logged into a CDU may correspond to usage intervals of no less than X seconds (or other suitable time). For TDO activity, events logged into a CDU may correspond to usage intervals of no less than Y seconds. Thus, if an A/V channel or NRT service remains selected for less than X seconds, as an example, that event is not reported, and if a TDO is active for less than Y seconds, as an example, that event is not reported. The precision and accuracy of start times and end times in the CDUs should be within Z second(s). In an example case the value of X may be 10 seconds, value of Y may be 5 seconds and value of Z may be 1 second.

Referring to FIG. 4, the fundamental data structure used to transmit CDUs from the receiver 210 to the data server 200 may be referred to as a consumption data message 400, referred to herein as “CDM”. A CDM may contain data for a single service, or it may contain data for multiple services in the case that data for multiple services is being reported to the same data server.

The CDM may be hierarchically divided into three parts to reduce the amount of data that is transmitted:

The first part contains a “Report Header” fields 410 that are common to all virtual channels and services and all consumption data. This part is preferably sent only once in the transmission session.

The second part contains “Service Identifier” fields 420 that are common to all consumption data associated with a single virtual channel or NRT service. This part is preferably sent once for each channel or service included in the report.

The third part contains the individual consumption data records 430. This part is preferably sent once for each time interval when an audio-visual channel is being viewed or an NRT service is selected.

A CDM may be an XML document containing a “CDM” root element that conforms to the definition in the XML schema that has namespace http://www.atsc.org/XMLSchemas/iss-cdm-1 (as an example).

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary logical structure is illustrated for a consumption data message 500. This consists of elements and attributes with their cardinality, data type used for representing the elements and attributes and their description.

A protocol Version field 510 contains the major and minor protocol versions of the syntax and semantics of the CDM 500, coded as hexadecimal values each in the range 0x0 to 0xF. The major protocol value may be in the four most significant bits of the field. A change in the major version level indicates a non-backward-compatible level of change. The initial value of this field may be 0. The value of this field may be incremented by one each time the structure of the CDM is changed in a non-backward compatible manner from a previous major version. The second number is the file minor version, which may represent the minor version of the syntax and semantics of the CDM. A change in the minor version level for each value of the first number may indicate a backward-compatible level of change within that major version. The initial value is 0. The value of this field may be incremented by one each time the structure of the CMD is changed in backward-compatible manner from a previous minor change (within the scope of a major revision).

An AVChannel element 520 contains the list of zero or more elements describing activity intervals based on content delivered continuously.

A channelNum 522 is a 16-bit hexBinary field that may contain major and minor channel numbers. If these numbers are not determinable, the value may be set to 0xFFFF.

A serviceType 524 is a value of the field service_type that is (or was—for time shifted content) present in a virtual channel table for the instance being reported.

A ViewInterval 530 is one or more periods of display of content for the corresponding channelNum 522.

A startTime 532 is a dateTime computed from a coordinated universal time (“UTC”) seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display of the content begins.

An endTime 534 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An interval may end when display of the content ends.

An usageType 536 is an unsigned integer denoting the class of usage. The usageType 536 may be defined as follows:

-   -   1—Full: content on main screen (no picture in picture).     -   2—PIP active: content on main screen with picture in picture         activated, no change in main frame size.     -   3—PIP use: content on the ‘small’ picture in picture.     -   4—Other/Obscured: user caused content under the control of this         standard's provisions to be rendered in less than the full frame         of the device (such as activating a web session). This includes         the potential of user controlling the frame size (such as         squeeze with side or top bars).     -   5 to 99—Reserved.     -   This does not reflect any DO presence or absence, as presence         and duration of each DO is reported explicitly within each         ViewInterval 530.

A timeShift 538 is an unsigned integer 0 or 1, with 1 indicating that the content has been time shifted.

A viewStartTime 540 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may end when display of the content begins.

A viewEndTime 542 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An interval may end when display of the content ends.

A DOInterval 550 is the interval for each active declarative object.

A doId 552 is a string representing an identifier for the declarative object for this reporting record. This may contain the c=term of contentID.

A startTime 554 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display of the content begins. The value may not be less than the value of startTime 532 of this ViewInterval 530 instance.

An endTime 556 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An intervals may end when display of the content ends. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime 534 of this ViewInterval 530 instance.

A NRTService 560 element contains the list of zero or more elements describing rendering of previously obtained files.

A serviceID 570 is a 16-bit hexBinary field that may contain a service_id or files, or 0xFFFF for rendering periods for any other files from any other source.

A NRTInterval 580 is one or more periods of display of a NRT service 560.

A startTime 582 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display of the content begins.

An endTime 584 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An interval may end when display of the content ends.

A NRTItem 586 is an interval for each item in the NRT service being rendered.

A contentItemId 590 is a string which may contain the contents of the content_name_text( ) representing the identifier for the item.

A startTime 592 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display of the content begins. The value may not be less than the value of startTime 582 of this ViewInterval 530 instance.

An endTime 590 is a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An interval may end when display of the content ends. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime 584 of this ViewInterval 530 instance.

The transmission of the CDMs may be performed in any suitable manner. By way of example, when a broadcaster wants to receive reports, the URL to be used for transmitting CDMs may be provided by the broadcaster via suitable commands. The broadcaster may decide the granularity of the destination addresses, that is, one destination address URL per service, one per a set of services, one for an RF multiplex, one for a region, and/or one for a nation. This is not necessarily explicitly signaled; rather the same URL may be repeated for each service when the scope is broader than a single service.

When the receiver 210 is prepared to transmit a CDM to a data server 200, it may issue an HTTP PUT request to the server, with the CDM in the body of the request. In another embodiment when the receiver 210 is prepared to transmit a CDM to a data server 200, it may issue an HTTP POST request to the server, with the CDM in the body of the request. In another embodiment When the receiver 210 is prepared to transmit a CDM to a data server 200, it may issue an HTTP PATCH request to the server, with the CDM in the body of the request. In another embodiment, when the receiver 210 is prepared to transmit a CDM to a data server 200, it may use WebSOCKET protocol to communicate to the server, with the CDM in the body of the request. The receiver may maintain a “date of last” time record which is accessible by TDOs for that service. If a week elapses after the last report, the URCR may transmit the CDM for that interval with the CDUs for each covered service, or when the allocated CDU storage reaches a level of 80% full, whichever occurs first.

If a CDM is not successfully transmitted due to a failure mode, it should remain stored, and it should be retransmitted as soon as the failure mode is rectified. The following are some exemplary failure modes:

-   -   (1) CDM destination address unavailable;     -   (2) Incorrect CDM destination address;     -   (3) HTTP session failure.

The receiver 210 should default to the opt-in state for usage data reporting. The receiver may disclose to the consumer that generic usage data will be reported unless they opt out on a service provider by service provider basis. The Usage Reporting-Capable Receiver (URCR) may report usage data for a given service provider unless the user has opted out of the usage reporting functions for that service provider.

The receiver should permit the user to see what services they have opted into, and to change the state of any opt-in/opt-out status. The receiver may retain opt-in/opt-out choices through loss of power to the unit. For encrypted services, the user interface offering the opt-in/opt-out choice is preferably presented during the service authorization process. For unencrypted services, an authorization session may be used with TDO-controlled questions and answers. The receiver preferably does not directly report any such answers, with such being reported by the TDO.

It was determined that the system should enable service usage measurement and reporting for individual content components within a given service. In this manner, more particularized information may be provided to the data server, which identifies particular characteristics of the available audio, visual, closed caption, data, and application content that are selected or otherwise used by the viewer. In particular, this permits an indication of the component for which the usage report is reported. By way of example, the receiver may identify a particular audio component from a plurality of audio components (e.g., different languages or different tracks) to be reported to the data server. By way of example, the receiver may identify a particular video component from a plurality of video components (e.g., different video views) to be reported to the data server.

Referring to FIG. 6, a component element 600 may be included in the CDM 500 which provides the usage reporting for individual content components.

A Component 600 has a content component type, role, name, ID, and time interval information.

A componentType 610 indicates the type of component 600. The values for componentType 610 may be, for example, as follows:

-   -   Value of 0 indicates an audio component;     -   Value of 1 indicates a video component;     -   Value of 2 indicated a closed caption component;     -   Value of 3 indicates an application component;     -   Value of 4 indicates a metadata component;     -   Values 5 to 255 are reserved.

A componentRole 620 may be a string representing the role or kind of the component's role/kind. The role/kind is described further below.

A componentName 630 may be a string representing the human readable name of the component.

A componentId 640 may be a string representing component identifier. In some embodiments this might be a URL which identifies a component.

A startTime 650 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display of this content component begins. The value may not be less than the value of startTime 532 of this ViewInterval 530 instance. This ViewInterval 530 instance may be the parent of this Component element.

An endTime 660 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An intervals may end when display of this content component ends. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime 534 of this ViewInterval 530 instance. This ViewInterval 530 instance may be the parent of this Component element.

By the inclusion of the startTime 650 and the endTime 660, the system may identify the time intervals during which a particular component is being used. As such different components may be used during different time interval inside a viewInterval's time interval.

Referring to FIG. 7, by way of example, a channel/service usage report may include a plurality of view intervals. For example, there may be a view interval from 1:45 pm to 2 pm, a view interval from 2 pm to 3 pm, and a view interval from 3 pm-3:15 pm. For the view interval from 1:45 pm to 2 pm there may be a plurality of components included in the usage report therewith, such as component A (i.e., Spanish Audio), such as component B (i.e., English Closed Captioning), such as component G (i.e., main video view). For the view interval from 2 pm to 3 pm there may be a plurality of components included therewith, such as component B (i.e., English Closed Captioning), such as component D (i.e., French Audio). For the view interval from 3 pm to 3:15 pm there may be a plurality of components included therewith, such as component A (i.e., Spanish Audio), component E (i.e., Spanish Closed Captioning), component F (i.e., alternative video view). In this manner, or other structures, the time during which particular components are active may be identified.

Another example usage is now described. Referring to FIG. 7A, by way of example, a channel/service usage report may include a plurality of view intervals (View Interval 1, View Interval 2, . . . View Interval N). For example, there may be a View Interval 1 from 5 PM to 6 PM. Details about other view intervals (e.g. View Interval 2, . . . View Interval N) are not shown in FIG. 7A. For the View Interval 1 from 5 PM to 6 PM there may be a plurality of components included in the usage report therewith. Also different components may be active/used during different time intervals within the view interval of 5 PM to 6 PM. For example a component J—Audio1 (i.e., English Audio) may be used from 5 PM to 5:30 PM. The receiver may decide (e.g. at the request of the viewer) to use component L—Audio2 (i.e. Spanish Audio) from 5:31 PM to 6:00 PM. Also the component K—Video component may be used from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, i.e. during the entire duration of view interval (View Interval 1 which spans 5 PM to 6 PM). Additionally a closed caption component may be only intermittently used during the view interval (View Interval 1 which spans 5 PM to 6 PM). For example component M—closed caption1 (i.e., English Closed Captioning) may be used only for the first 5 minutes i.e. from 5:00 PM to 5:05 PM. Also component N—closed caption1 (i.e., English Closed Captioning) may be used only later during the view interval for the 10 minutes i.e. from 5:45 PM to 5:55 PM.

FIG. 7 B further describes different delivery paths may be used for a component during a view interval for a channel/service. Referring to FIG. 7B, by way of example, a channel/service usage report may include a plurality of view intervals (View Interval 1, View Interval 2, . . . View Interval N). For example, there may be a View Interval 1 from 5 PM to 6 PM. Details about other view intervals (e.g. View Interval 2, . . . View Interval N) are not shown in FIG. 7B. For the View Interval 1 from 5 PM to 6 PM there may be a plurality of components included in the usage report therewith. Also different components (e.g. Component X, . . . Component Y) may be active/used during different time intervals within the view interval of 5 PM to 6 PM. Details about other components (e.g. Component X, . . . Component Y) are not shown in FIG. 7B. For example a component K—Video component may be used from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, i.e. during the entire duration of view interval (View Interval 1 which spans 5 PM to 6 PM). During this time interval, the component K may be delivered to the receiver via different paths as shown in FIG. 7B. For example from 5:00 PM to 5:37 PM the component K may be delivered via terrestrial broadcast delivery path to the receiver. For example from 5:38 PM to 5:42 PM the component K may be delivered via broadband delivery path to the receiver. This may be due toe the unavailability of broadcast path during 5:38 PM to 5:42 PM or due to some other reason such as weaker broadcast signal. For example from 5:43 PM to 6:00 PM the component K may be again delivered via terrestrial broadcast delivery path to the receiver. Further details related to this different delivery paths are described later in relation to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14.

With reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B it should be noted that although the above examples indicate time and time interval as for example “5:00 PM” or “1:45 pm”, the time and time interval may be indicated by other well-known techniques. For example the time interval may be indicated from UTC seconds count at the beginning or end of an event or from beginning or end of some other reference point. Some other similar techniques may be used for time and time interval indication in the above examples and in the semantics of various elements below.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to Component element may be as follows:

<xs:element name=“Component” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded”> <xs:complexType> <xs:attribute name=“componentType” type=“xs:unsignedByte” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“componentRole” type=“xs:string” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“componentName” type=“xs:string” use=“optional”/> <xs:attribute name=“componentID” type=“xs:string” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“startTime” type=“xs:dateTime” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“endTime” type=“xs:dateTime” use=“required”/> </xs:complexType> </xs:element>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to Component element may be as shown below:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_component#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC component for consumption data message”,, “description”: “Component indication in consumption data message”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“Component”], “Component”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “componentType”: { “type”: “integer” }, “componentRole”: { “type”: “string” }, “componentName”: { “type”: “string” }, “componentID”: { “type”: “string” }, “startTime”: { “type”: “date-time” }, “endTime”: { “type”: “date-time” } } }, “required”: [“componentType”,“componentRole”,“componentID”,“startTime”,“endTime”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

In one embodiment the componentName 630 may be an element instead of attribute and its cardinality may be 0 . . . N and the componentName 630 may have a language attribute which can indicate the name of the component in different languages. For example this attribute when using XML representation may be “xml:lang” attribute.

In one embodiment the Component 600 element may be a sub-element of the ViewInterval 530 element.

In another embodiment the Component 600 element may be sub-element of one or more other elements.

In one embodiment the role/kind of the audio component may be one or more of the following.

-   -   For an audio component the role may be textual description         intended for human consumption regarding role of the component.     -   Strings which could be used to describe the role of component of         the service may include:         -   “Complete main”         -   “Music”/“Music-and-effects”         -   “Dialog”/“Dialogue”         -   “Effects”         -   “Visually impaired”         -   “Hearing impaired”         -   “Commentary”         -   “Description”/“Textual description”         -   “Sign”/“Sign language”         -   “Metadata”         -   “Emergency”         -   “Voice-over”         -   “Karaoke”     -   Any other useful description for a viewer can be provided, as         desired.

In one embodiment the role/kind of the video component may be one or more of the following.

-   -   For a video component the role may be a textual description         intended for human consumption regarding role of the component.     -   Strings which could be used to describe the role of video         component of the service may include:         -   “Primary video”         -   “Alternative camera view”         -   “Other alternative video component”         -   “Sign language inset”         -   “Follow subject video”         -   “3D video left/right view”         -   “3D video depth information”         -   “Part of video array <x,y> of <n,m>”         -   “Follow-Subject metadata”     -   Any other useful description for a viewer can be provided.

In one embodiment the role/kind of the closed caption component may be one or more of the following.

-   -   For a closed caption component the role may be a textual         description intended for human consumption regarding role of the         component.     -   Strings which could be used to describe the role of video         component of the service may include:         -   “Normal”         -   “Easy reader”     -   Any other useful description for a viewer can be provided.

In one embodiment the role/kind of the application component may be one or more of the following.

-   -   For an application component the role may be a textual         description intended for human consumption regarding role of the         component.     -   Strings which could be used to describe the role of video         component of the service may include:         -   “On Demand”         -   “Start-over”         -   “Companion-Screen”     -   Any other useful description for a viewer can be provided.

In some embodiment the data type “unsignedByte” may instead be represented by the data type “hexBinary”

In some embodiments instead of values 5 to 255 being reserved values 5 to 99 (or some other number) may be reserved.

In some embodiments instead of values 5 to 255 being reserved values 4 to 255 (or some other number) may be reserved.

In some embodiments instead of values 5 to 255 being reserved values 4 to 99 (or some other number) may be reserved.

In other embodiments the cardinality of some of the elements may be changed. For example cardinality may be changed from “1” to “1 . . . N” or cardinality may be changed from “1” to “0 . . . N” or cardinality may be changed from “1” to “0 . . . 1” or cardinality may be changed from “0 . . . 1” to “0 . . . N” or cardinality may be changed from “0 . . . N” to “0 . . . 1”.

In other embodiments some of the elements could instead be signalled as attributes.

In other embodiments some of the attributes could instead be signalled as elements.

In other embodiment some of the required elements may be changed to optional elements or vice-a-versa.

In some embodiments instead of XML some other format e.g. JSON/CSV/BNF/ABNF/EBNF may be used for representing the same information conveyed in the XML format.

In alternative embodiment additional namespace qualifier may be added for an xml element/attributes/type.

In another embodiment a different name may be used for an element or attribute. For example instead of “componentRole” the element may be called “caR” or “caRole” or something else.

It was determined that the system should enable service usage measurement and reporting for the device (e.g., viewing device) the content is being consumed on within a given service. In this manner, more particularized information may be provided to the data server, which identifies a particular device (or characteristics thereof or logical role thereof) of audio-visual content (including data, applications) that are selected or otherwise used by the viewer. In particular, this permits an indication of the device for which the usage report is reported. In addition, it is also desirable to indicate whether the content is being consumed using a primary device and/or a companion device.

It is desirable to indicate a “presentation device type” which indicates if the content is consumed on a primary device (PD) or a companion device (CD). It should be noted that primary device or a companion device are logical roles.

Referring to FIG. 8, one technique to indicate if the content is consumed on a primary device or a companion device is using a Boolean data type for the device type indication.

For example, a deviceType value of 0 indicates content is presented on primary device. For example, a deviceType value of 1 indicates the content is presented on companion device.

In one embodiment the deviceType maybe a sub-element or attribute of an element of CDM illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment the deviceType may be an attribute of ViewInterval element illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deviceType element may be as follows:

-   -   <xs:element name=“deviceType” type=“xs:boolean” minOccurs=“1”/>

In another embodiment XML schema corresponding to deviceType attribute may be as follows:

-   -   <xs:attribute name=“deviceType” type=“xs:boolean”         minOccurs=“1”/>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to deviceType element may be as follows:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_deviceType#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC device type for consumption data message”, “description”: “device type indication in consumption data message ”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“CDM”], “CDM”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “deviceType”: { “type”: “boolean” } } }, “required”: [“deviceType”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

Referring to FIG. 9, one technique to indicate if the content is consumed on a primary device or a companion device is using an integer/unsigned byte data type for the device type indication. This can allow device types other than primary device and companion device to be indicated in future using the device type indication reserved values.

For example, a deviceType value of 0 indicates content is presented on primary device. For example, a deviceType value of 1 indicates the content is presented on companion device. Values 2 to 255 may be reserved.

In one embodiment the deviceType maybe a sub-element or attribute of an element of CDM element illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment the deviceType may be an attribute of ViewInterval element illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deviceType element may be as follows:

-   -   <xs:element name=“deviceType” type=“xs:unsignedByte”         minOccurs=“1”/>

In another embodiment XML schema corresponding to deviceType attribute may be as follows:

-   -   <xs:attribute name=“deviceType” type=“xs:unsignedByte”         minOccurs=“1”/>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to deviceType element may be as shown below:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_deviceType#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC device type for consumption data message”, “description”: “device type indication in consumption data message”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“CDM”], “CDM”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “deviceType”: { “type”: “integer” } } }, “required”: [“deviceType”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

In one embodiment instead of “type”: “integer”, “type”: “number” may be used.

Referring to FIG. 10, one technique to indicate if the content is consumed on a primary device or a companion device also includes time interval information with the device type indication.

A DeviceType 900 indicates a device type for the content presentation.

For example, a dev 910 with a value of 0 indicates content is presented on primary device. For example, a dev 910 with a value of 1 indicates the content is presented on companion device.

A startTime 920 includes a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display/presentation/consumption of the content begins on the device indicated by the value of dev attribute. The value may not be less than the value of startTime 532 of this ViewInterval 530 instance. This ViewInterval 530 instance may be the parent of this Component element.

An endTime 930 includes a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An interval may end when display/presentation/consumption of the content ends on the device indicated by the value of dev attribute. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime 534 of this ViewInterval 530 instance. This ViewInterval 530 instance may be the parent of this Component element.

In one embodiment the DeviceType maybe a sub-element of CDM element illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment the DeviceType may be a sub-element of ViewInterval element illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deviceType element may be as follows:

<xs:element name=“Devicetype” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded”> <xs:complexType> <xs:attribute name=“dev” type=“xs:unsignedByte” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“startTime” type=“xs:dateTime” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“endTime” type=“xs:dateTime” use=“required”/> </xs:complexType> </xs:element>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to DeviceType element may be as shown below:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_deviceType#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC device type for consumption data message”,, “description”: “device type indication in consumption data message”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“DeviceType”], “DeviceType”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “dev”: { “type”: “integer” }, “startTime”: { “type”: “date-time” }, “endTime”: { “type”: “date-time” } } }, “required”: [“dev”,“startTime”,“endTime”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

In an alternative embodiment, information about the device type on which content is viewed may be indicated by extending the usage type field (e.g. @usageType illustrated in FIG. 5). In this embodiment instead of or in addition to indication of device type the content is being consumed on, the usage type field as illustrated in FIG. 5 may be extended. The usage type (attribute @ usageType) has defined values which allow indication of usage of content on main screen (no picture in picture), content on main screen with picture in picture activated with no change in main frame size, content on the small picture in picture, and/or user caused content to be rendered in less than full frame of the device.

In some cases, a viewer is watching main content or associated content on a companion device. As a result following usage types may be included, if desired:

-   -   Main content (same as content on primary device) on companion         device;     -   Alternative content on companion device.

In one embodiment these could be defined values as follows. This may be done by adding these in semantics of (@usageType as illustrated in FIG. 5)

-   -   5—Main content (same as content on primary device) on companion         device     -   6—Alternative content on companion device     -   In another embodiment other values may be assigned to the above         usage types.

It was determined that the system should enable service usage measurement and reporting for the delivery path and/or distribution path that content is being consumed on within a given service. In this manner, more particularized information may be provided to the data server, which identifies a particular delivery path and/or distribution path of audio-visual content (including data, applications) that are selected or otherwise used by the viewer. In particular, this permits an indication of the delivery path and/or distribution path for which the usage report is reported. In addition, it is also desirable to indicate whether the delivery path and/or distribution path refers to a primary device and/or a companion device. The path may be broadband and/or wireless connectivity for the content being used, which may change during the usage of such content. As an example a receiver may receive video component via broadcast network. At some point in time due to for example weather change the broadcast signal may waken and the receiver may switch to getting the video component via broadband network. When the broadcast signal becomes strong again, the receiver may switch back to getting the video component from the broadcast network. In another use case the receiver may be getting a video component via broadcast network and getting audio component in a alternative language via broadband network. Moreover, the usage reporting may be related to ‘real-time’ consumption, time-shifted consumption, and/or on-demand consumption.

Referring to FIG. 11, a “deliveryPath” indicator element may be included. For example, the “deliveryPath” indicator element may be a Boolean data type

For example, a deliveryPath with a value of 0 indicates terrestrial broadcast delivery. For example, a deliveryPath with a value of 1 indicates broadband delivery. Other name such as “broadcast delivery” or “broadcast network” may be used instead of “terrestrial broadcast delivery”.

In one embodiment the deliveryPath attribute may be an attribute of ViewInterval element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment the deliveryPath maybe a sub-element or attribute of an element of CDM element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deliveryPath element may be as shown below:

-   -   <xs:element name=“deliveryPath” type=“xs:boolean”         minOccurs=“1”/>

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deliveryPath attribute may be as shown below:

-   -   <xs:attribute name=“deliveryPath” type=“xs:boolean”         minOccurs=“1”/>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to deliveryPath element may be as follows:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_deliveryPath#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC delivery path for consumption data message”, “description”: “Delivery path indication in consumption data message”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“CDM”], “CDM”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “deliveryPath”: { “type”: “boolean” } } }, “required”: [“deliveryPath”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

Referring to FIG. 12, one technique to indicate delivery path is using an integer/unsigned byte data type for the delivery path indication. This can allow delivery paths other than terrestrial broadcast delivery and broadband delivery to be indicated in future using the device type indication reserved values.

For example, a deliveryPath with a value of 0 indicates terrestrial broadcast delivery. For example, a deliveryPath value of 1 indicates broadband delivery. For example, a deliveryPath value of 2 indicates local delivery on home network. For example, a deliveryPath value of 3 to 255 may be reserved.

In an alternative embodiment, a deliveryPath with a value of 2 indicates delivery (of continuous component) from a primary device (PD) to companion device (CD) on a network.

In one embodiment the deliveryPath attribute may be an attribute of ViewInterval element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment the deliveryPath maybe a sub-element or attribute of an element of CDM element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deliveryPath element may be as shown below:

<xs:element name=“deliveryPath” type=“xs:unsignedByte” minOccurs=“1”/>

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deliveryPath attribute may be as shown below:

<xs:attribute name=“deliveryPath” type=“xs:unsignedByte” minOccurs=“1”/>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to deliveryPath element may be as shown below:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_deliveryPath#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC delivery path for consumption data message”,  “description”: “Delivery path indication in consumption data message”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“CDM”], “CDM”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “deliveryPath”: { “type”: “unsignedByte” } } }, “required”: [“deliveryPath”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

Referring to FIG. 13, one technique for the delivery path indication may include time interval information with the delivery path indication. Since the delivery path may change during a view interval (viewInterval element as illustrated in FIG. 5), the time interval information may be indicated as this may be beneficial in knowing component hand off.

The DeliveryPath 1200 may be used for the content.

For example, the pathType 1210 with a value of 0 indicates terrestrial broadcast delivery. For example, the pathType 1210 with a value of 1 indicates broadband delivery. For example, the pathType 1210 with a value of 2 indicates local delivery on the network. For example, the pathType 1210 values of 3 to 255 are reserved.

In an alternative embodiment, the pathType value of 2 indicates delivery (of continuous component) from a primary device (PD) to companion device (CD) on home network.

A startTime 1220 with a dateTime is computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when the delivery of content begins on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value shall not be less than the value of startTime attribute of this ViewInterval instance.

An endTime 1230 with a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may end when the delivery of content ends on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime attribute of this ViewInterval instance.

In one embodiment the DeliveryPath a sub-element of ViewInterval element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment the DeliveryPath maybe a sub-element of CDM element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment XML schema corresponding to deviceType element may be as shown below:

<xs:element name=“DeliveryPath” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded”> <xs:complexType> <xs:attribute name=“pathType” type=“xs:unsignedByte” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“startTime” type=“xs:dateTime” use=“required”/> <xs:attribute name=“endTime” type=“xs:dateTime” use=“required”/> </xs:complexType> </xs:element>

In one embodiment JSON schema corresponding to DeliveryPath element may be as shown below:

{ “id”: “http://atsc.org/version/3.0/ur/ur_DeliveryPath#”, “$schema”: “http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#”, “title”: “ATSC delivery path for consumption data message”,, “description”: “Delivery path indication in consumption data message”, “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “required”: [“DeliveryPath”], “DeliveryPath”: { “type”: “object”, “properties”: { “pathType”: { “type”: “integer” }, “startTime”: { “type”: “date-time” }, “endTime”: { “type”: “date-time” } } }, “required”: [“pathType”,“startTime”,“endTime”] “additionalProperties”: false }, “maxProperties”: 1 } }

Referring to FIG. 14, in an additional embodiment the component usage report information may be further augmented by inclusion of delivery path for each component. In this manner, it is easier to identify when different components are delivered using different paths. In one case this may be indicated as shown below.

A component 1300 type, role, name, ID and time interval information.

A componentType 1305 type of component is indicated as follows:

-   -   A componentType 1305 with a value of 0 indicates an audio         component.     -   A componentType 1305 with a value of 1 indicates a video         component.     -   A componentType 1305 with a value of 2 indicated a closed         caption component.     -   A componentType 1305 with a value of 3 indicates an application         component.     -   A componentType 1305 with a value of 4 indicates a metadata         component.     -   A componentType 1305 with values 5 to 255 are reserved.

A componentRole 1310 may be a string representing the role or kind of the component.

A componentName 1315 may be a string representing the human readable name of the component.

A componentId 1320 may be a string representing component identifier.

In some embodiments this might be a URL which identifies a component.

A startTime 1325 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when display of this content component begins. The value may not be less than the value of startTime of this ViewInterval instance. This ViewInterval 530 instance may be the parent of this Component element.

An endTime 1330 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. An interval may end when display of this content component ends. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime of this ViewInterval instance. This ViewInterval 530 instance may be the parent of this Component element.

A DeliveryPath 1335 may be used for the content component indicated by the parent Component element.

For example, a pathType 1340 may be a value of 0 indicates terrestrial broadcast delivery for the content component. For example, a pathType 1340 may be a value of 1 indicates broadband delivery for the content component. For example, a pathType 1340 may be a value of 2 indicates local delivery on network for the content component. For example, a pathType 1340 may be a value of 3 to 255, are reserved.

In an alternative embodiment, a pathType 1340 may be a value of 2 may indicate delivery (of this continuous component) from a primary device (PD) to companion device (CD) on a network.

A startTime 1345 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when the delivery of content component begins on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value may not be less than the value of startTime attribute of the parent Component element. In an alternative embodiment: A startTime 1345 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may begin when the delivery of content component begins on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value may not be less than the value of startTime attribute of this ViewInterval instance.

An endTime 1350 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may end when the delivery of content component ends on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime attribute of the parent Component element. In an alternative embodiment: An endTime 1350 may be a dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. An interval may end when the delivery of content component ends on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value may not be greater than the value of endTime attribute of this ViewInterval instance.

In one embodiment the Component element may be a sub-element of ViewInterval element as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The consumption data message is defined as a fundamental data structure used to transmit CDUs from a service usage data client to a service usage data server. A consumption data message may be formatted as Javascript Object Notation (JSON) data instead of as XML data which tends to be more suitable for low bandwidth networks. A URCR may transmit a Consumption Data Message (CDM) to service usage data server as JSON data as per a defined JSON schema.

Additional embodiments are described further below.

Modifications and extensions of the ATSC A105 Consumption data message for service usage reporting are described further. FIG. 15 shows a logical structure of extended consumption data message (CDM).

With respect to FIG. 15 the additional elements compared to A105 and their semantics are as described below.

Semantics for other elements and attributes as specified below apply.

deviceType: Value of 0 indicates content is presented on a primary device. Value of 1 indicates the content is presented on a companion device. Values 2 to 255 are reserved.

Component: Content component type, role, name, ID and time interval information.

componentType: The type of component is indicated. Value of 0 indicates an audio component. Value of 1 indicates a video component. Value of 2 indicated a closed caption component. Value of 3 indicates an application component. Values 4 to 255 are reserved.

componentRole: A unsigned byte representing the role or kind of the component. In this case the componentRole attribute will be interpreted as follows:

For audio component (when componentType value above is equal to 0) values of componentRole are as follows: 0=Complete main, 1=Music and Effects, 2=Dialog, 3=Commentary, 4=Visually Impaired, 5=Hearing Impaired, 6=Voice-Over, 7-254=reserved, 255=unknown.

For Video (when componentType value above is equal to 1) values of componentRole are as follows: 0=Primary video, 1=Alternative camera view, 2=Other alternative video component, 3=Sign language inset, 4=Follow subject video, 5=3D video left view, 6=3D video right view, 7=3D video depth information, 8=Part of video array <x,y> of <n,m>, 9=Follow-Subject metadata, 10-254=reserved, 255=unknown.

For Closed Caption component (when componentType value above is equal to 2) values of componentRole are as follows: 0=Normal, 1=Easy reader, 2-254=reserved, 255=unknown.

When componentType value above is between 3 to 255, inclusive, the componentRole shall be equal to 255.

componentName: A string representing the human readable name of the component.

componentId: A string representing component identifier.

startTime: the dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. Interval shall begin when display of this content component begins. The value shall not be less than the value of startTime attribute of this ViewInterval instance.

endTime: the dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the end of the event. Interval shall end when display of this content component ends. The value shall not be greater than the value of endTime attribute of this ViewInterval instance.

DeliveryPath: Delivery path used for the content component indicated by the parent Component element.

pathType: Value of 0 indicates terrestrial broadcast delivery for the content component. Value of 1 indicates broadband delivery for the content component. Value of 2 indicates local delivery on home network for the content component. Values 3 to 254 are reserved. Value of 255 indicates unknown delivery path.

startTime: the dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. Interval shall begin when the delivery of content component begins on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value shall not be less than the value of startTime attribute of the parent Component element.

endTime: the dateTime computed from the UTC seconds count at the beginning of the event. Interval shall end when the delivery of content component ends on the path indicated by the value of pathType attribute. The value shall not be greater than the value of endTime attribute of the parent Component element.

In a variant embodiment the componentRole attribute may use data type of String instead of unsigned byte.

@componentRole 1 String Role of the component

In this case the role of the component will be described in String form. Possible String values are described below.

For audio component (when componentType value is equal to 0) allowed values of componentRole are as follows:

-   -   “Complete main”     -   “Music and Effects”     -   “Dialog”     -   “Commentary”     -   “Visually Impaired”     -   “Hearing Impaired”     -   “Voice-Over”     -   “reserved”     -   “unknown”

For Video (when componentType field above is equal to 1) allowed values of componentRole are as follows:

-   -   “Primary video”     -   “Alternative camera view”     -   “Other alternative video component”     -   “Sign language inset”     -   “Follow subject video”     -   “3D video left view”     -   “3D video right view”     -   “3D video depth information”     -   “Part of video array <x,y> of <n,m>”     -   “Follow-Subject metadata”     -   “reserved”     -   “unknown”

For Closed Caption component (when componentType field above is equal to 2) allowed values of componentRole are as follows:

-   -   “Normal”     -   “Easy reader,”     -   “reserved,”     -   “unknown”

In a variant embodiment the pathType attribute may use data type of String instead of unsigned byte.

@pathType 1 String Type of delivery path used for the content component being consumed

In this case the type of delivery path used for the content component being consumed will be described in String form. Possible String values are described below.

The allowed values for deliveryPath are as follows:

“broadcast” (indicates terrestrial broadcast delivery for the content component)

“broadband” (indicates broadband delivery for the content component).

“local” (indicates local delivery on home network for the content component.)

“reserved”,

“unknown” (indicates unknown delivery path).

In this case JSON schema part for pathType may use enumerations as shown below:

“properties”:{ “pathType”:{ “enum”: [ “broadcast”, “broadband”, “local”, “application”, “reserved”, “unknown”] } }

In yet another embodiment the pathType may use a data type of String without enumerations. In this case JSON schema part for pathType is as shown below:

“properties”:{ “pathType”: { “type”: “string” } }

JSON schema is described for existing A/105 elements and attributes for service usage report consumption data messages (CDMs). JSON schema is also described for the proposed extensions of A/105 for service usage reporting. In the prior art XML is used for CDMs. It is noted that JSON schema does not allow attributes thus redefinition of various attributes for incorporation into JSON schema. An exemplary JSON schema is shown in FIG. 16(1) through FIG. 16(4).

In an alternative embodiment. componentType and componentRole may be described in JSON schema using enumerations as shown below:

“properties”:{ “componentType”:{ “enum”: [ “audio”, “video”, “closed caption”, “application”, “metadata”, “unknown”, “reserved”] }, “componentRole”:{ “enum”: [ “Complete main”, “Music and Effects”, “Dialog”, “Commentary”, “Visually Impaired”, “Hearing Impaired”, “Voice-Over”, “Primary video”, “Alternative camera view”, “Other alternative video component”, “Sign language inset”, “Follow subject video”, “3D video left view”, “3D video right view”, “3D video depth information”, “Part of video array <x.y> of <n.m>”, “Follow-Subject metadata”, “Normal”, “Easy reader” ] } }

In yet another embodiment XML schema may be used to represent the consumption data messages and/or service usage report.

In this case the component usage report information may be further augmented by inclusion of delivery path for each component. XML schema for the combination of component indication and delivery path indication is as shown in FIG. 17.

The overall XML schema including the proposed extensions is shown in FIG. 18(1) through FIG. 18(3).

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the systems, methods, and apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of the claims. 

1. A method for transmitting a consumption data message from a usage reporting capable receiver to a service usage data server, the method including: transmitting a consumption data message being a Javascript Object Notation document; and issuing a HTTP PUT request to a service usage data serve in a case of being prepared to transmit the consumption data message, wherein the consumption data message includes interval information including a first start time of a first interval and a first end time of the first interval, and the consumption data message includes content components within a given channel, wherein at least one of the content components includes (i) a type of a component, (ii) a role of the component, (iii) a human readable name of the component, (vi) a content ID, (v) a second start time of a second interval and (vi) a second end time of the second interval, a value of the second start time is not less than a value of the first start time, and a value of the second end time is not greater than a value of the first end time.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a value of the type of the component indicates one of at least an audio component, a video component and a closed caption component, the role of the component is represented by an unsigned byte according to the value of the type of the component, wherein the values of the role, and each of the human readable name of the component and the content ID is represented by a string. 